A group of people, independent of the church, whose mission is to support 

St. Clare's Church Newton Aycliffe, in the short, medium and long term.

We are looking for people who DO NOT go to church.

You will never be pestered or harassed to go.

That is not what we do.

Read all about it!
Join today!

NEWS LETTER PAGE NOW UPDATED

WHY?

The answer to the question "Why has Friends of St. Clare's been set up?"  is answered in this way...

You may be a regular attender to St. Clare's Church. On the other hand, you may never have entered the building but for some reason you are thankful that it is there. You would wish it and its congregation all the best for the future and you would certainly be very sad if the building was lost along with the beautiful fixtures, fittings and treasures and all the good work the clergy and lay people do was to end.

At this moment in time there is no suggestion that St Clare’s Church will close. In fact just the opposite – it is thriving and lots of good work is being carried out by many Christians and goodhearted people.

That is why this is a good time for an organisation like Friends of St Clare’s to be established. So here is your chance to support St Clare’s Church by becoming a member of Friends of St. Clare’s. You do not need to attend, just have a little place in your heart that tells you to show your support. Do please read on...

FOUNDER

Noel F Bennett
Noel was married in St. Clare's Church in 1966 and has been a member of the Church for well over 40 years becoming a practising Christian in the late 1970's.  Noel has carried out many varied church duties over the years, such as leading the intersession prayers, readings from the Bible, distribution of wine during communion, helping and supporting  fund raising events and leading special church projects.
In all those years of attendance and support he has perceived a nagging. Nagging thoughts in his head that he should be doing something more for the church nationally or locally of greater significance. Whilst he knows  that all gifts of time and talent are very valuable to the church he has been searching and praying for the right task.
"I think I have found it" said Noel "I will certainly do my best to make Friends of St. Clare's a success, although I do understand that I cannot do it on my own."
Mail: mymail@mailservice.com
Phone: +44 1632 96099

PATRON

Rev. Mike Dixon
Born in Rowlands Gill, North West Durham, Mike trained for the priesthood at St. Chad’s College, Durham University.
Ordained in Durham Cathedral 53 years ago; he served his title at Holy Trinity Hartlepool, then at Howden Yorkshire and then to Prison.
Mike joined the prison service at HMP Liverpool, moving to Onley, young offender unit, and eventually returning to the North East with the opening of HMP Frankland. He then transferred to HMP Durham for 10 years and eventually serving out his ‘sentence’ in HMP Acklington.
He then returned to Parish life as Parish Priest at St. James Shilbottle and St. John’s Chevington, Northumberland, eventually retiring to Newton Aycliffe. In his  ‘retirement’ he then had 9 years as a Durham County Councillor.
"I accepted the position of Patron of ‘Friends of St. Clare's’, because in these times of financial constraint it is important to help support buildings in which the community can come together to celebrate and keep alive for posterity the Christian message."
 
 

PATRON

Hi
WANTED
Although we are looking for a second patron. We are delighted that Rev. Mike Dixon agreed to be our first. We were looking for someone who had Christian written right through them, like Redcar through a stick of rock. Friends of St. Clare's is centred on supporting our local church on Christian values. Mike has done many things to serve the community. He is well liked and has proved to be an ideal patron, offering help and advice.

We are now looking for...
a celebrity to further our cause. Someone who will lend their name to our organisation. For example, you have seen celebrities on television game shows raising money for their charities. When we put on events they may be asked to open the proceedings to improve ticket sales. 

Can you help...
Please let us know if you can suggest someone for this roll. If you know them, even better. If you do not it may still be worth letting us know your suggestion.

PROFITS FROM THIS BOOK GO TO FRIENDS OF ST. CLARE'S

TREAT YOURSELF TO THIS BOOK

 

A treat for yourself or perhaps as a gift. This article is about 'Stranger on the Shore' a new book by local author under the pen name of Leon Franklin. Profits from the sale of this book are going to ‘Friends of St. Clare’s’.

 

Introduction to Stranger on the Shore…

This novel is a story of love, intimacy, deceit and intrigue, set in the sixties. Seeing a stranger on the shore is normal. Actually stopping to speak to a stranger on the shore is a little unusual. When that stranger leads Neil into emotional turmoil and threatens his very being; that is very, very strange indeed.

 

Main Character: Neil Collins
Neil is a genuinely nice guy. Romantic, chivalrous and tender hearted certainly undeserving of the heartaches he had endured as a child and would continue to endure as an adult. He was usually quite studious, thinking very carefully about each situation, before making a final decision. However he does have a contradictory side to his makeup. From time to time, this gives rise to impulsive episodes often leading to chaotic and/or comic situations. So the reader is in for a shock at the chaos, and laughter at the humour created, when this contradictory yet lovable characteristic is on display.

 

HOW TO ORDER...
Type into your browser 'Amazon UK'

Click on 'Amazon UK Official Site'

Click the 'All' drop-down box (to the left of search bar)

Click 'Books' from the list.
Type into the search box ‘ISBN: 9798514470303’

Click on ‘Stranger on the Shore’ as pictured.

 

OR BUY IN NEWTON AYCLIFFE (NO POSTAGE CHARGES)...
From - The Vape Shop, Beveridge Way, Newton Ayliffe.


Share by: